Myth or Fact: Baking Soda Relaxer Remix!

So in my first trial I did the baking soda treatment in water. A few readers suggested that it should be done in conditioner and so I repeated the same experiment.



I used herbal essences damage remedy. I made the mix as per instructions on the comment (except I used a teaspoon - therefore 3/4 tsp of baking soda to 1/2 tsp of conditioner). The pH of this mix was 9! (The conditioner on its own is at around pH 7). I left the mix on the shed hair overnight and a bit (about 12 hours). I don't really care for deep conditioning but I thought I would follow the instructions and left the hair in conditioner while I went to work (about 8 hours).



Anyway, the results - not really different from last time at all. The strands looked the same and felt the same and curled up into tiny little balls as before.




The one thing I know for sure is mixing baking soda in hair conditioner changes the pH massively. High pH is known to affect the cuticle in terms of cuticle lifting so I'm not entirely sure if this procedure is harmless despite the fact that the hair before and after pretty much 'looks' the same.